No AANR Events scheduled at this time. Thank you everyone for all your help during the AANR National Convention, a success by every measure.
AANR is your nudism “insurance“
The American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR) is the oldest organization advocating for nudism and naturism and those who live within the nudist culture. It fights for nudist rights even in cases involving non-AANR affiliates, such as the banning some years back of a nudist swim in Canada. Investing in AANR is like purchasing house or car insurance….It is your nudism insurance.
However, AANR is an organization with little backing and equally little funds. Additionally, even long-standing members highly committed to nudism fear discovery and possible repercussions and thus remain silent. Secrecy is a burden and barrier to public acceptance of social nudism. Without a hue and cry, we prevent normalizing and destigmatizing of our way of life.
Too many nudists take for granted that they can simply go to a nudist beach or club and don’t question that they could lose that privilege. But through GAT…AANR’s Government Affairs Team… and through its constant lobbying and its 27-year presence at the National Council of State Legislators, AANR stays on top of bills that overtly or through interpretation threaten healthy family nudism.
If one doesn’t support the organization that fights for and protects them, then they are part of the organization’s downfall. Those that complain, yet do nothing to strengthen AANR, cannot complain once laws are passed to revoke what rights we now have in our clubs and our few free beaches. And at the present time, there exist motions that nudists may be unaware of that put nudism at great risk, e.g,, conflating healthy child nudity with pornography or exposure to impersonators as child endangerment as in Florida’s bill to criminalize “exposing children to an adult live performance,” defined as any presentation in front of a live audience which depicts or simulates nudity. Consider this interpretation’s impact on our children’s programs or AANR’s Kids Camp.
Other cause-based organizations like the NRA (National Rifle Association), NOW (National Organization for Women) and GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Association Against Defamation) have members who are dedicated, verbal, and financially supportive about their agendas, which often address unpopular causes along with prejudice, discrimination, inequality and unfair punishment. When we question the value of our affiliation with AANR, we need to realize it is not just about us; it is about protecting every person, family, club, beach and all who might be willing to give naturism a try.
That said: What does AANR do? Along with AANR having your back…
- AANR affiliated clubs and members are obliged to uphold stringent behavioral standards. Being an AANR club provides a seal of approval for having a safe experience especially for women and children. (This is doubly ascertained when a WINR group is established at a club.). Many of our own guests and members mention being an AANR club is the reason they come to Solair. And they check for AANR affiliation when they visit other clubs, as well.
- AANR remains informed of individuals who have been rejected from a club for due cause; they can share this information with Certifying Officers to protect other venues from admitting these people.
- AANR provides small grants and loans to clubs for improvements. Solair was the beneficiary of financial support for the solar heating of the pool and possibly other projects.
- The AANR Education Foundation provides grants and scholarships to organizations and individuals that support the Foundation’s mission: educating the public about the values and benefits of nude recreation and its rightful status as a wholesome social and recreational practice.
- AANR Meet & Greets (M&Gs). This highly successful service offered the first and third Thursday of the month by AANR volunteers provides a forum and community for nudists throughout the US and beyond. Having recently celebrated one year, there are now 2000 people who have signed up and the numbers are growing. The organizers begin the sessions ½ hour early for anyone with computer issues and the general session easily goes another three hours.
Erich Schuttauf , AANR’s ED, provides a brief summary at the beginning of each meeting of legislation that can jeopardize nudism. Attendees can choose to join a variety of chatrooms in areas of their interest as well as learn about different nudist venues and people who may live near one another. I have personally met folks in the New to Nudism chatroom and have directed them to Solair. A number of Solair members are online and we always mention Solair and how well the club is run. Perhaps we should ask visitors if they are aware of the M&Gs and if these had anything to do with their visit.
While about 97% of the attendees are AANR members, those few who are not have committed to join AANR and have because the M&Gs have fulfilled a need. Additionally, we have created a moderator’s guide to provide helpful tips in running a meeting.
- AANR provides extensive legal assistance to individuals involved in custody cases, including providing extensive documentation for lawyers. They have successfully won challenges in such instances. In fact, validation of a parent or grandparent being a member of AANR with its philosophy of safe and wholesome family values confers a mantle of protection.
- AANR provides free listing of Solair on its website and there have been several articles about or referring to Solair in the Bulletin, which in itself is a benefit.
- Free listing of club events if they are submitted to AANR.
- Opportunities to influence the direction of the organization through voting, volunteering on committees, influencing government officials and learning how to share your nudism (several Bulletin articles, including R. Krozy’s 7-part series, provide many helpful ‘how to’s”).
- A Social Media Subcommittee, under the auspices of the Public Relations Committee, chaired by Ronna Krozy, that reviews the most common social media platforms for negative or incorrect information that could impact our reputation. Depending on the severity and reach of this information, a process is in place to respond in a timely fashion. Another important function is fighting censorship.
- Representation of Solair in AANR East direction and priorities.
- Considerable discounts at other AANR clubs (20%) as well as at participating businesses.
AANR does the best that it can given the resources it has. They rely on volunteers, much as we do. Imagine how much more could be done….professional fundraising, more lobbyists, high level marketing, extensive public surveys, etc….if every person who enjoys a clothing free opportunity were to join our organization.
Finally, it is considered an honor to have the AANR convention at one’s resort with the opportunity to share and exchange ideas with the leadership and influence the direction of the organization. We help AANR to recoup a small amount of its costs for producing and disseminating brochures, providing promotional materials, travel expenses, providing some refreshments, etc. by the nominal $10 registration fees for attendees, excluding those that volunteer. Hopefully, this endeavor will be as successful and rewarding as the many other events Solair runs.
Respectfully, Ronna Krozy
AANR Public Relations Chair
AANR Conventions and Facilities Chair
May 28, 2023
More information about AANR is available at the AANR Website . Solair is a member of the Eastern Division of AANR and they also have a website located at https://aanr-east.com/
